The Little Inventors programme, delivered in partnership with Dogger Bank Wind Farm and South Tyneside Council, is supporting real world innovation by bringing four children’s creative, ocean-inspired ideas to life with the support of local businesses.
Four outstanding ideas were selected from hundreds of submissions to be developed into physical prototypes. The winning inventions and their sponsoring businesses are:
- Puffy Coat by 7-year-old Lillie, sponsored by Ford Aerospace. Inspired by the puffer fish, this garment is designed to “puff up” to help the wearer feel safer, braver, and more confident.
- Crabey 3000 by Isla, sponsored by North Star.
- 5G Power Paddle by Dexter.
- Magni-Sub by 11-year-old Oliver, which is being brought to life by Osbit.
The projects for Lillie’s Puffy Coat, Isla’s Crabey 3000, and Dexter’s 5G Power Paddle will be brough to life by creative fabrication specialists Orbital FX. During initial design visits, the young inventors and their families meet the creative team helping to turn their drawings into reality.
Luke Daley from Orbital FX played a key role in the sessions, creating a collaborative environment and encouraging the children to think about how their concepts might work in the real world.
Luke shared his thoughts on the experience:
“Having the kids visit was brilliant – their energy and curiosity really brought the workshop to life. It was fantastic to see them getting hands-on, asking questions, and engaging with how ideas turn into real, physical creations. Moments like that are exactly why we’re so passionate about what we do”.
The children and their parents shared the excitement:
Lillie, inventor of the Puffy Coat, said:
“I loved showing everyone my invention and talking about how it could work. I’m excited to see what it looks like when it’s finished”. Her mother, Tammy, noted, “The team made her feel listened to and encouraged, and that kind of experience really helps children believe in their creativity and what they’re capable of”.
Isla, inventor of Crabey 3000, shared:
“It was really cool explaining how my invention works and hearing how they might build it. I can’t wait to see what it looks like when it’s finished”.
Dexter, creator of the 5G Power Paddle, exclaimed:
“It was amazing meeting the people who are going to help make my invention. It made me realise that ideas you draw at school can actually turn into something real”.
Craig Bright, General Manager of Little Inventors, highlighted the value of these sessions:
“When children see professionals listening carefully to their ideas and taking them seriously, it sends a powerful message that creativity and imagination have real value. Seeing that first conversation between the inventors and the brilliant Orbital FX team was incredibly exciting”.
Oliver’s Magni-Sub project also celebrated a major milestone as he visited Osbit’s base with his mother, Kay, and Craig Bright. The visit marked the first in-person collaboration with the global engineering company.
Oliver and Tom Griffiths, Engineer at Osbit, began discussing how the original drawings could be translated into a physical prototype, exploring materials and mechanisms while ensuring Oliver’s vision remained central to the design.
Oliver said:
“It was really cool seeing where my invention might be made. I liked talking about how it could work in real life. It made me feel proud that engineers are helping me build it”.
Tom Griffiths noted:
“Oliver brought fantastic energy and creativity to our discussions. It’s been great to start looking at how we can turn his concept into something physical while keeping his original thinking at the heart of the project”.
Looking Ahead
All four prototypes – Puffy Coat, Crabey 3000, 5G Power Paddle, and Magni-Sub – will be unveiled at a public exhibition at The Word in South Shields in 2027. This event will celebrate the inventiveness of young people and the strength of collaboration between South Tyneside businesses and the programme.
Dogger Bank Wind Farm and South Tyneside Council have supported the Little Inventors programme since 2022 as part of a shared commitment to STEM education the region’s future. Drawing inspiration from the Dogger Bank – the world’s largest offshore wind farm – being built off the North East coast, the partnership has helped thousands of local school children explore renewable energy, climate action and the role innovation plays in shaping the future.
